Arrogant Wike polluting Nigeria’s political space, destroying democracy – Bala Mohammed

Amid an unresolved crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has accused FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of polluting Nigeria’s political space and destroying democracy.

Speaking to journalists at the PDP’s national secretariat on Tuesday, the politician described Mr Wike as inimical to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“What is happening is the creation of one man called Wike who thinks he can pollute the political space with his gangsterism, animism, hooliganism, and charlatanism,” Mr Mohammed said. “And by so doing, he is not helping even the present administration.”

A crisis erupted at the PDP secretariat on Tuesday when the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction of the party’s National Working Committee, loyal to Mr Wike, took over the complex for its NEC and Board of Trustees meetings.

The Taminu Turaki-led NWC, which was elected at the controversial national convention in Ibadan last Saturday, had also scheduled its inaugural meeting with party stakeholders for 10:00 a.m. at the secretariat.

Mr Mohammed, who forced his way into the secretariat alongside Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, accused Mr Wike of working for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor added, “He should leave us alone. This is an end to his hooliganism. Ask him. Is he not working with the APC? Is it moral to say that he would be in the APC to destroy us?”

The Bauchi governor accused the Mohammed-led faction of impunity, insisting INEC duly recognised executive members elected during the convention.

“They are driven by arrogance, illiteracy, and impunity. We are driven by law. After the convention, we sent the elected executive members to INEC. INEC is not obliged to attend any convention. Have you seen the APC doing a convention? No, because they have leaders recognised by INEC,” the politician said.

Spokesperson for Mr Wike, Lere Olayinka, could not be reached for comment on Mr Mohammed’s allegations, as his phone number was unreachable.